HUENEMEIER ON A PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE

25 July 2017

Paul Hazlewood Uwe Huenemeier

James Hilsum

Brighton & Hove Albion defender Uwe Huenemeier was delighted with his team’s professional performance on a tough surface at Roots Hall last night, as the Seagulls ran out 3-0 winners against Southend United.

Three first-half goals ensured Albion extended their winning streak to three games without conceding a goal, and Huenemeier felt his team-mates showed enough quality to comfortably seal victory.

He said, “We tried to move the ball quickly and scored three really nice goals, and I think overall it was a really good test for us today.

“It was really sticky and slow [the pitch], they watered it before the match but it didn’t make much of a difference. But I think we did well, especially in the first half.

“We’re coming to the final stage of pre-season, we’ve finished our third match and we’ve got another three matches coming up, so it’s now about match fitness.

“It’s about getting the rhythm and minutes in our legs. Most of us have seen that we’re in good shape right now, but we have to move on and we’re looking forward to Norwich on Saturday.”

Following their trip to Carrow Road, Albion finish their pre-season campaign with games against Girona and Atletico Madrid, and Huenemeier expressed his excitement ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester City at the Amex.

“It’s just another two and a half weeks to go [until the opening Premier League game] and everyone is really looking forward to it.

“Everybody wants to be in the team on Saturday 12th August. Our aim has to be to stay in the league.

“I’ve done it before - been promoted with a smaller team. You have a lot of adrenaline and everyone tries to show their best.

“Other teams have shown it’s possible to stay in the Premier League and that’s our target for the first season.”